August Moon Chinese Restaurant in Oklahoma City: Cantonese Cooking and Dim Sum Service

August Moon is a full-service Cantonese restaurant located in Oklahoma City that specializes in dim sum service and traditional Cantonese entrees, operating as a sit-down dining venue with both table service and dim sum cart options during peak hours.

What August Moon Actually Is

August Moon occupies a standalone location and functions as a neighborhood Cantonese spot rather than a fast-casual or takeout-focused operation. The restaurant serves dim sum during lunch and early afternoon hours using the traditional cart service model, where servers push trolleys of small plates to tables so diners can select directly. Outside dim sum service windows, the full dinner menu of Cantonese-style entrees, soups, and rice dishes becomes the focus. This dual operation means the restaurant caters to two distinct dining occasions: quick dim sum visits at midday and more leisurely multi-course dinners in the evening.

Dim Sum and Entree Menu with Pricing

Dim sum offerings include har gow (shrimp dumplings), siu mai (pork and shrimp dumplings), char siu bao (barbecue pork buns), chicken feet, and egg custard tarts, with most small plates priced between $3 and $5 each. Diners typically order four to six pieces per person and pay by the number of plates consumed; a standard dim sum lunch for one person averages $12 to $18. The dinner menu features whole steamed fish, roasted duck, beef with broccoli, mapo tofu, and chow mein, with entrees ranging from $12 to $22 depending on protein and complexity. Rice and noodle dishes run $10 to $15. Soup options, available year-round, cost $8 to $12 per bowl. Prices are stable but best confirmed by calling ahead, as protein cost fluctuations occasionally trigger menu adjustments.

How August Moon Compares to Other Oklahoma City Chinese Options

August Moon distinguishes itself through its commitment to Cantonese preparation and dim sum service, which sets it apart from Americanized Chinese spots that emphasize orange chicken and fried rice. In Oklahoma City's Chinese restaurant landscape, most competitors lean toward Szechuan or Hunan styles with heavier use of chili oil and numbing spices. P.F. Chang's, the largest chain presence in the metro, offers upscale Asian fusion at higher price points ($18 to $35 entrees) without dim sum. For diners seeking traditional dim sum with cart service, August Moon is one of few dedicated options; most other Cantonese-style restaurants in the area offer limited dim sum menus or none at all. Choose August Moon for authentic Cantonese cooking and dim sum experience; choose a Szechuan restaurant if you prefer bold chili-forward heat; choose P.F. Chang's if you want a polished dining room and modern presentations without traditional cart service.

Who August Moon Suits and Who It Doesn't

August Moon works best for diners familiar with dim sum culture or willing to learn, multigenerational family groups, and anyone seeking weekend brunch that extends into early afternoon. The cart service model appeals to those who enjoy direct selection and conversation-heavy meals. The restaurant does not suit fast-service needs or diners uncomfortable with unfamiliar ingredients like chicken feet or jellyfish, which appear regularly on carts. Those seeking Americanized Chinese food or expecting extensive vegetarian preparations may find the menu narrow.

What a First Visit Involves

Arrive during dim sum hours (typically late morning through mid-afternoon on weekends; weekday availability varies) without a reservation and expect to be seated at a communal or small table within 10 to 20 minutes during non-peak times. A server will bring tea and a small cup, then dim sum carts will circulate. Point to items you want; staff marks your plate. If you are unsure what something is, ask. The meal feels informal and social by design. During dinner hours, order from a printed menu using standard table service, with food arriving in 15 to 25 minutes depending on cooking method.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

August Moon operates with separate dim sum and dinner service windows; dim sum is typically available Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with weekday service varying seasonally. Dinner service runs most days from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (hours shift slightly on Mondays and Tuesdays; confirm by phone). The restaurant has dedicated parking in its lot. Call ahead to confirm current hours, as dim sum service days occasionally change with staffing or seasonal adjustments.

August Moon fills a specific role in Oklahoma City's dining landscape by maintaining Cantonese technique and dim sum tradition rather than chasing broader appeal, making it the primary destination for that style of cooking in the metro area.